formative Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun minimal language unit that has a syntactic (or morphological) function
  2. adjective satellite capable of forming new cells and tissues
    • a formative zone in developing bone
  3. adjective satellite forming or capable of forming or molding or fashioning
    shaping; plastic.
    • a formative influence
    • a formative experience

WordNet

Form"a*tive adjective
Etymology
Cf. F. formatif.
Definitions
  1. Giving form; having the power of giving form; plastic; as, the formative arts.
    The meanest plant can not be raised without seed, by any formative residing in the soil. Bentley.
  2. (Gram.) Serving to form; derivative; not radical; as, a termination merely formative.
  3. (Biol.) Capable of growth and development; germinal; as, living or formative matter.
Form"a*tive noun
Definitions
  1. (Gram.) (a) That which serves merely to give form, and is no part of the radical, as the prefix or the termination of a word. (b) A word formed in accordance with some rule or usage, as from a root.

Webster 1913